ONCE UPON OUR TIMES: 'Scattering of sunshine'

We visit with men hunting brides by advertising in the local newspapers.

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By Rev. Lee E. Daywalt

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Rev. Lee E. Daywalt

Posted Jan. 23, 2013 at 12:00 PM

By Rev. Lee E. Daywalt

Posted Jan. 23, 2013 at 12:00 PM

Recall a few months ago when we visited with the men hunting brides by advertising in the local newspapers and with the building of the First Brethren sanctuary. I promised then that we would revisit these again this year, so here goes:

January 9, 1913

Mr. Aughenbaugh says whole thing is a joke

His advertisement for a Wife in Frederick paper not intended seriously

He scatters Sunshine, however, he says — can get a wife without an adv.

The Record recently republished from the Frederick Daily News a story telling of an advertisement for a wife inserted in its regular advertising columns by L.K. Aughenbaugh, Waynesboro. The News said that after receiving the advertisement it wrote Mr. Aughenbaugh to learn whether he had really sent it and had received an affirmative reply.

Mr. Aughenbaugh has written a postal card to this paper with the request that his communication be published. It is as follows:

"From the wording of the note in article as appeared in your paper any one could see it was a joke and done for amusement to make an editor laugh and thereby have a very merry Christmas. Don't you think that a man like me can get a wife without advertising? If you don't think so, I am going to fool you some time. I have not the least idea to marry a girl who would answer an article or ad. like appeared in your paper. Trust many people had a good laugh over it. I laughed about it too. I love to scatter sunshine everywhere I go. Respectfully yours, L.K. Aughenbaugh."

Mr. Aughenbaugh really has no need to offer advise to The Record or inform it of his intentions. He spent his money with a Frederick paper to start the matrimonial correspondence and The Record has not been employed to further whatever purposes he may have.

But there is something in his postal card so suggestive of happiness for some one — his joyous scattering of sunshine everywhere, to be definite — that The Record can't resist its inclination to help him along, or, if he continues to object to a newspaper helping him in a matrimonial venture, to indicate to some worthy maiden where she can be sure of dwelling in golden radiance and jolly laughter all the day long.

Mayhap this will not help Mr. Aughenbaugh's case but The Record has done as he requested: it has printed his message. And it couldn't let pass the opportunity to help him in some way in his mission of dispelling gloom and illuminating everything with the beauteous sunlight of happy days.

January 3, 1913

Work on First Brethren church is being hurried

Work on the new First Brethren church, corner of West North street and Philadelphia avenue, is progressing finely. The masons resumed work Thursday and the carpenters are also busy at work on the edifice.

Page 2 of 2 - January 24, 1913

Rafters are placed on new Sanctuary walls

Contractor Dukehart has made good use of the pleasant days of the past few weeks and has hurried work on the new First Brethren church edifice, at the corner of Philadelphia avenue and Fourth street, to good advantage. The rafters are now being placed on the walls and the roof will follow speedily. It is expected that the sanctuary will be ready for use about May 1.

April 4, 1913

Furniture for new church will arrive here in fortnight

The new First Brethren edifice which is now under construction at Fourth street and Philadelphia avenue, is gradually nearing completion.

The exterior of the church has practically been finished.

Plasterers will begin, in a few days, on the interior of the church.

The painted windows, pews and the altar furniture will arrive in the course of two weeks.

May 23, 1913

Will purchase piano for new sanctuary

A congregational meeting of the First Brethren church was held, yesterday evening, at the parsonage, South Church street. It was well attended.

It was decided to purchase a piano for the new church which will be dedicated, June 15.

Plans were perfected for the entertainment of visitors who will be here on dedication day.

There were a number of recommendations in regards to some of the furnishings for the new edifice.

(We will finish our visit with First Brethren next week)

"Once Upon Our Times" by the Rev. Lee E. Daywalt is a compilation of local newspaper articles from 100 years ago. It appears weekly in The Record Herald. Daywalt is pastor of New Baltimore Church of God and administrator of Preserving Our Heritage Archives and Museum, 11191 South Mountain, 11191 South Mountain Road, South Mountain. The museum is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and at other times by appointment. For information, call 762-2367 or visit: